posted August 17, 2011 03:44 AM
Due for new battery I was out of the country for 1.5 months and last night I came back and put the battery on the tender to charge overnight (cause I forgot to plug it up before I left). When I turned the key this morning - nothing. I am pretty sure I need a new battery and I was hoping I get some guidance in terms of brand folks use 'round here... I know I've seen some threads on those really light ones and I like the idea of losing a few pounds but I don't recall the brand name or the model that would fit the bike best.
posted August 17, 2011 06:33 AM
use a 12 cell, 7.5 A lithium battery.
Schnitz sells some ballistic batteries, and then there is Turntech.
These will last many more years than a lead acid battery.
If it does go dead for some reason, I use a 20 amp charger and the bike is running with a charged battery in about 10 minutes
Throw the battery tender in the garbage if you go lithium
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
posted August 17, 2011 07:43 AM
Edited By: Rook on 17 Aug 2011 15:46
Ihave a Shorai 14Ah same specs as the stock battery except way smaller and lighter. sat on shelf for 2 months and fired the bike up like it was just charged. About a pound a nd ahalf compared to 11 pounds and just as reliable---should have a longer life too.
Simple mod to mount the batery. A small piece of 1/4'" plywood in the bottom of tray and a couple zip ties.
Putt he battery in with +pole positioned to inside and the cables will fit quite neatly without kinking. OR check into there other small 14Ah. I think they have the same as mine with reversed poles and that you could put in with + facing out---not that it matters. Mine might actually be better for taking up the long + cable.
posted August 17, 2011 01:18 PM
Edited By: Rook on 18 Aug 2011 01:14
Where did you buy it from?
SuperBike Supply had 'em when they first came out last winter. bloody oath, kobar they are less now than I paid!!! Have not done a thorough search on their site but this 14 Ah is the only one I see come up.
http://www.superbikesupply.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SBS&Product_Code=shorai-battery&Category_Code= The 18 Ah is recommended for the ZX-14 because the size of the shell fits the stock ZX-14 tray. but the specs exceed the the requirements for the 14. That 18 Ah will fire our big motors up lickity split. I have two friends who run the Shorai 18 Ah in their 14s. Better than the stock battery. The 18 Ah is a half pound heavier which is why I went with the 14 Ah.
There was a thread going on this last winter here at ZX14.com also one at zx14ninjaforums
Here is a Shorai 14Ah Dogo bought for his 10. He froze it in his freezer then out it in his 14 which was sitting out n the N Washington State winter in an unheated garage.
posted August 17, 2011 04:53 PM
Dang! No one appears to have this stuff and everything is on back order. I got it from amazon, the 18Ah. .5 lbs not that important to me and I didn't feel like doing the little mod - friggin lazy. 169$ no tax free shippin' .. works for me :-) just got to wait till they stock up and hopefully that would be this friday .. apparently most shipments will get there by then. Anyway This battery sounds pretty kick @$$ so I can't wait to get it .. that and I haven't been ridin' the 14 a month and half and it feels forever ...bummer.. gonna have to stick to the vulcan this weekend.
posted August 17, 2011 05:13 PM
OOPs had to fix that link up there in yellow. Go ahead and click if you like.
Thought you were an Aussie, atidude. ...or a Brit. Greyhoundmoses is a Brit...I know he got a Shorai and I'm pretty sure he ordered from SuperBikeSupply. Will take a couple weeks to cross the pond of course.
posted August 17, 2011 05:44 PM
No not an Aussie or Brit though I assume you figured cause of the mate thing .. I'm Bulgarian .. picked up a few diff things throughout the years and ended up with a pretty colourful mixture of accents and blah.
posted August 17, 2011 09:07 PM
Bulgarian, that was my next guess. well. hope SBS will ship to Bulgaria. Otherwise, you need a battery. Might have to go with a stocker again. Be nice if you could buy a used one off a wrecked bike. Would not need to be a 14 of course. Then buy a Shorai when they become available.
posted August 18, 2011 07:08 AM
Edited By: MJ on 18 Aug 2011 15:09
quote:You should change the battery every 2 years!!!
The stock battery in my 06 is as strong as ever thanks to a battery tender. Since I started using quality battery tenders I haven't had to buy a battery yet for anything I use seasonally
If you keep your battery on a tender when you're not riding, it'll last longer than most guys keep their bikes. If you let the battery sit dead all winter, then charge and ride for the summer, then repeat, you're battery WILL last 1-2 years.
posted August 18, 2011 09:35 AM
I had A ZRX that the battery lasted the 48 month loan.My ZX-14 is two years old.I go out to the garage and start it and let it run at least 2-3 times in the winter.It's as strong as ever.
Craig
____________
2009 Monster ZX-14
Brocks Alienhead,PCV, flys out,LSL Riser kit,-1 front sprocket,43 Vortex rear sprocket,K&N Air Filter, Zero Gravity tall smoked screen,block off plates,175HP 104 torque
posted August 18, 2011 12:45 PM
My 08 lasted 3 years. I used a battery tender every winter. Sometimes you get a good battery that lasts for ever. Like a light bulb.
posted August 21, 2011 02:34 PM
This is gonna sound pretty darn stupid but i let the old battery just sit there with the battery tender for couple of days just to see what happens and the son-a-b charged up... wtf! Been holding the charge and crankin' up for couple of days so I think I will give it shot and see what happens. Nevertheless I know what my next battery would be so thanks Rook!
posted August 21, 2011 03:43 PM
8-9 weeks as a long time especially if the battery is old. I don't think that means the battery is definitely toast. if it is holding a charge, take it on some short trips around the neighborhood and then around town after a few days. If no problem. Probably the battery is fine. I've had my Shorai battery off a charger w/o starting the bike for 10 weeks. I'm pretty confident that it will fire up when ready.
posted August 21, 2011 06:20 PM
My 06 battery is still going strong .. I pulled it out of my 06 zx14 after 2 years and put it in my riding lawn mower ...It really spins that motor !!!
____________
Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
posted August 22, 2011 08:50 AM
my 07's battery is still going strong with the new owner... and it lasted 3 deployments of not using a battery tender at all lol. park it, come back 6 months later and it cranks right up.
____________
60ft-------1.42
1/8th------5.97
mph-------119
posted February 25, 2012 10:44 AM
OK, so I am reviving an old thread.
I have a bad habit of leaving the lights on when I go into my house. I have killed at least 3 batteries in the last 2 years on my 2 bikes. If I did this to a Shorai battery, will it still recharge, or would I have to get a new one. I know if you completely drain a lead acid battery it may not recharge (especially if it is not new and if it sits drained for a few days).
In case you havent guessed, I killed the battery in my 14 yesterday. I am reduced to riding my old CBR 900 until I get a new battery.
BTW, any issues with this battery or suggestions for a better one?
____________
RYNO
2010 Candy Persimmon Red ZX-14
Brock's Ceramic coated Alien Head full exhaust
PCV, SpeedoHealer, lowered
"Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly"
posted February 26, 2012 04:49 AM
Just a battery note from a VFR owner.
I'm speaking in general, I don't fully understand what's going on. As many know the VFR's Regulator/Rectifier are not on Honda's proudest achievements list. A dieing battery seems to make the R/R work harder and really messes with the electrical system.
I no longer try to see how long I can get the battery to work, I know the battery on a VFR should be rated for about 200 CCA and when the battery falls below this rating, I'll go get a new battery. Electrical system seems to sharpen up when I put in a replacement. Batteries are cheaper then R/R's It does appear Kawasaki does a good job here but I agree with Crotch Rocket replace that puppy every 2 years....1.5 years if you own a VFR.
Rob
2002 VFR 121,335 miles
2009 VFR 26,569 miles
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posted August 17, 2011 03:44 AM
posted August 17, 2011 05:43 AM
Edited By: 
well. hope SBS will ship to Bulgaria. Otherwise, you need a battery. Might have to go with a stocker again. Be nice if you could buy a used one off a wrecked bike. Would not need to be a 14 of course. Then buy a Shorai when they become available.
